Education and Training: A Sine Qua Non for Professionalism in the Oil and Gas Sector

A number of countries in Africa are leveraging on her oil and gas as the major source of government revenue. As such, if these natural resources are produced and exploited in an unsustainable manner and depleted, these could lead to adverse effect on the economy in terms of the much needed revenue and host communities' livelihood. The activities in upstream, middle stream and downstream of the industry; the further discoveries offshore, particularly in deep waters; the spring up of local players in the E&P for marginal and brown field development; the local content drive; sustainable refined petroleum products capacity for the nation and the expectations of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in Nigeria requires 'fit-for-purpose' caliber of human resources/manpower in the skilled and semi-skilled cadre. As such the human capital within this sector must be highly trained and skilled to meet up with the needed production increase, global demands, standards and best practices in the industry. Professionalism is a long and wide concept; even though, it is often neglected by most individuals and organizations. It is made up of education, training, technical assistance and time. It is the dividing line between the developed and underdeveloped communities. It is the hallmark of all laudable solutions, creativities, and innovations. It is hard for Africa's oil and gas sector to meet up with the growing trends of globalization without professionalism. In the light of the foregoing, this research work seeks to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis and dialysis on how to boost educational training and professionalism in the oil and gas sector in Africa